Great Britain: Evil? - NOT amateur radio

Looking back over our recent history Great Britain has a lot to be ashamed about. We were heavily involved in the slave trade, we exploited our empire colonies, we got Hong Kong on the back of the opium wars with China etc, etc..  If you look at our past we were a nasty lot.

Yet, today people want to come here!   People risk their lives to cross the English Channel on small boats. In many ways we treat people of all races and colours equally and fairly. We are nowadays a very fair and reasonable people. We are far from perfect, but given a choice I am quite happy living here.

Rural walk - NOT amateur radio

This morning we did a walk around the village of Dalham near Newmarket. 

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My 8m QRP (2.5W and dipole) was turned on after breakfast. So far just local G4WSZ (12km) spotting me. I am hopeful about F2 propagation again today. 

UPDATE 1432z: 3 spots of my QRP 8m FT8 (2 locals and 1 Canadian). The Canadian was VA2CY (4965km).  On RX, 3 stations spotted G9PUV and 2 South Africans.

UPDATE 1636z: 4Z5ML (3566km) has spotted me.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Sunday)

 

My 500mW beacon was turned on after breakfast. 7 spots of me already (see 1st table)!

UPDATE 1440z: 47 spots of me so far today (see 2nd table).

UPDATE 1704z:  68 stations have spotted me today. I think this is a record.

Plans for today (Sunday)

Today I expect to be on 8m QRP FT8 (F2?) and 10m QRP WSPR TX with my beacon. 

Sunspots - Sunday October 15th 2023

 Solar flux is 148 and the SSN 100. A=8 and K=0.

Strictly Come Dancing break - NOT amateur radio

This is us with one of our granddaughters this evening. 

630m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

At about 1930z I QSYed to 630m WSPR using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. So far, the best DX is a spot of me is by 2E0ILY/KIWI (209km). I am hopeful of LA or OH spots later.

UPDATE 2027z:   8 stations have spotted me this evening.

UPDATE 2059z:   OH1LSQ (133km) has spotted me again.

Last Ones? - NOT amateur radio

This lunchtime I picked, washed and ate the last few blackberries on the bush near our home. 

Hopefully I shall eat more next year. 

UPDATE October 29th: Still picked some today! See later post.

8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

 My 2.5W FT8 to the dipole has been on all morning. Just local spots by G4WSZ (12km).

UPDATE 1339z:  ZR1ADI (9777km) has been a good signal on 8m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1418z:   VA2CYX (4965km) spotted on 8m FT8 RX quite well, but no luck him hearing me!